Coin display case

ABSTRACT

A coin display case comprises a substantially transparent convex outer wall, a reflective inner wall opposite the outer wall and a coin holding chamber defined between these walls whereby coins are reflected by the inner wall and observed through the outer wall to give the illusion of twice as many coins.

United States Patent 11 1 Husney et al.

[ Oct. 7, 1975 COIN DISPLAY CASE [75] Inventors: Sy Husney; Norman G. Little, both of Las Vegas, Nev.

[73] Assignee: Sys, Inc., Mr. Sys, Las Vegas, Nev.

[22] Filed: July 30, 1973 [21] Appl. No.: 383,897

[52] U.S. Cl 206/.81; 40/28 B; 206/45.14; 206/45.31; 206/457 [51] Int. Cl. B65D 25/54; A45C 1/12 [58] Field of Search 206/.8, .81, .82, .83, 206/.84, 45.31, 45.34, 461, 462, 471, 457, 45.14; 40/28 B [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,132,472 10/1938 Holm 40/28 B 2,286,246 Yearta.....

Saeks 206/462 2,907,488 10/1959 Botts 220/24 3,139,977 7/1964 Burdick 206/.83 3,212,637 10/1965 Shippee 206/462 3,303,930 2/1967 Hyland 206/462 3,362,528 l/1968 Deneke 206/45.3l 3,399,763 9/1968 Stone 206/462 3,463,308 8/1969 Deneke 206/461 3,519,128 7/1970 Swanberg 206/45.31

Primary ExaminerWilliam 1. Price Assistant ExaminerBruce H. Bernstein Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Jerry R. Seiler 57 ABSTRACT A coin display case comprises a substantially transparent convex outer wall, a reflective inner wall opposite the outer wall and a coin holding chamber defined between these walls whereby coins are reflected by the inner wall and observed through the outer wall to give the illusion of twice as many coins.

10 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures U.S. Patent Oct. 7,1975 Sheet 1 of 2 3,910,408

lull

FIGURE I.

com DISPLAY CASE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention is related to a coin display case which gives the illusion of more coins than are actually present and because of having an outer substantially transparent wall, and an inner reflective wall, not only can the plurality of coins be readily be observed, but the reflective surface will give the illusion of about twice as many coins as are actually present. Such a display case is thus both attractive and can be used on vending machines, slot machines, or on any other devices or in locations where coin display is desired. These objects as well as others will become evident from the following detailed description.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention comprises a coin display case having a substantially transparent and convex outer wall through which coins present on the interior of the case may be readily observed. Opposite the convex wall is a flat reflective inner wall, preferably a mirror. The coin holding chamber defined between these walls is only partially filled so that an upper coin surface is reflected in the mirror giving an illusion of the presence of approximately twice as many coins. Moreover, the reflection also give the appearance of an inner wall which is of the shape of the convex outer wall. The coin display case is defined between the convex outer wall and the flat reflective inner wall and in which coin holding chamber of a plurality of coins are placed. The display case is disposed upright as shown with the convex wall extending outwardly to one side with the'inner wall substantially lying in a vertical plane. The case will be displayed best at a height where the observer will view the top surface of coins and their reflection in the mirror. Thus, it is the primary object of the invention to provide a coin display case wherein all of a plurality of coins therein adjacent the surface and outer wall of the case may be readily observed and in which a mirror or reflective inner wall gives the illusion of approximately twice as many coins as are actually present therein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the front of the coin display case of the invention showing a plurality of coins therein and the illusion of twice as many of such coins according to the object;

FIG. 2 is a view of the coin display case shown in FIG. 1 with a portion of the convex outer transparent wall cut away; and

FIG. 3 is a side sectional elevation of the coin display case of FIG. 1, showing the interior and coin holding chamber thereof.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OFTHE INVENTION Referring to FIGS. 1-3 there is shown the coin display case of the invention. The case comprises a front and substantially transparent convex wall 16 and an inner reflective wall 20. This inner wall, which is opposite the outer transparent wall is preferably flat as is more particularly shown in FIG. 3. The side of the inner wall towardthe front is reflective and preferably is a mirror.

The exterior convex outer wall 16 may have any convenient shape such as a rectangular or square box shape. However, more preferably the outer wall is convex and dome or bubble shaped as shown and more particularly and preferably a hemispherical or semiellipsoidal shape. The material of the outer convex wall 5 may be any substantially transparent material including glass or clear plastic such as acrylic polymers including poly methyl methacrylates (Plexiglass). The transparent outer wall may also be colored to some extent as desired so long as it does not significantly interfere with the transparency or observation of the coins interiorly thereof.

The inner wall 20 which is opposite the convex wall has a reflective or mirror surface which is preferably flat as shown. Between this inner reflective wall and the outer convex wall is defined the coin holding chamber. Referring also to FIG. 3, the chamber may also be provided with a bottom plate 24 to support the coins or the convex wall may extend completely to contact the inner wall. A light 26 or similar illuminating means may also be provided interiorly so as to light up the coin holding chamber and coins making them more readily and favorably viewable to the observer. However, such illumination is an optional feature.

The coin display case may be enclosed in a frame 18 having a front panel 12 within the frame. This front panel will then have an opening cut therein sufficient for the convex outer wall 16 to extend therethrough as is shown specifically in FIGS. 1 and 2. Thus, the opening or cut-out portion of panel 12 should be substantially the same shape and size of the perimeter of the adjacent convex outer wall surface. The panel 12 may also have decoration or may be illuminated or otherwise have designs drawn thereon as desired. It will be appreciated that this front panel could be a front or side panel of a vending machine or the like on which the coin display case of the invention is located in which case the frame would comprise the edge-of the panel. Thus, the presence of a frame is not critical to the coin display itself nor is the panel except by way of further decoration. Moreover, the shape of panel 12 is not particularly critical so long as it contains the opening 14 through which outer wall 16 extends.

As previously noted, interiorly of the outer convex wall is the inner wall 20 which comprises a reflective or mirror surface. lnteriorly and between the inner and outer walls, is defined the coin holding chamber. Since the inner wall is reflective,' any coins visible at the upper surface of the group of coins will be reflected on the mirror and this reflection will also be viewable through the transparent outer wall as will all of the coins adjacent the surface of the outer wall. Thus, when a plurality of coins are placed in the device as shown in the Figures, not only will all of the coins adjacent the transparent outer wall be observed, as will also the upper surface coins, but these coins will also be reflected by the inner wall (note FIG. 2) giving the illusion of twice as many coins. To the observer there may even be difficulty in ascertaining where actual coins terminate and reflected ones begin at the mirror surface as observed in FIG. 1. Moreover, because of the convex shape of the outer wall, the illusion will be given of having a coin display case which is completely hemispherical or ellipsoidal both inside the case as well as on the outer wall. In other words, the observer may believe that there is an inner wall which has substantially the same shape as the outer wall rather than the mirror surface because of the illusion created.

In order to achieve the optimum or maximum illusion and so as to utilize the effect of the device caused by the reflective inner surface, it is best that the coin display case be less than filled with coins. Preferably, the

coin display case will be filled from between about 25 to about 75% of its total volume and more preferably about 50% whereby the total top surface area of coins will be maximized especially as where a hemispherical or semi-ellipsoidal outer convex wall is used. Thus, by having the coin holding chamber approximately half full, this upper and observable coin surface will be of greatest area as will be that surface and coins reflected by the inner reflective wall 20. Moreover, the case is disposed with 'the convex wall extending outwardly toward the viewer and the inner wall along a vertical plane in the manner shown in the drawings. in addition, if placed at the desired elevation relative to the observer, he will view the coins adjacent the convex wall, those lying on the upper surface and the reflected coins on the mirror. With the mirror substantially normal to the horizontal plane of upper coins, the most preferred illusion is created.

Although the display case has been described with the outer convex wall 16 being separate from and extending from panel 12, these two components may be molded or formed of one piece of glass or plastic and secured within a frame member. A decorative outer surface or coating of the flat panel portion may then be used leaving the clear dome or bubble portion exposed. Further, observing FIG. 3, the outer wall 16 may extend inwardly to contact inner wall 20 so that bottom plate 24 may not be required. Such modifications as well others within the purview of the invention may be evident to those skilled in the art.

I claim:

1. An inner wall having a reflecting mirror surface for reflecting articles in said case,

a front panel disposed forwardly of said inner wall having an opening therein,

a substantially smooth surfaced and transparent convex outer wall contacting said front panel around said opening and extending outwardly therefrom,

a bottom article support member elevated at a position between a frame member bottom and up to and including said front panel opening,

a frame member having a top, bottom, back and sides in which said front panel, bottom article support member and inner wall are received,

said outer wall, inner wall, and bottom article support member forming a chamber for holding articles therein.

2. The case of claim 1 wherein said outer wall is hemispherical. I

3. The case of claim 1 wherein the outer wall is semiellipsoidal.

4. The case of claim 1 wherein said mirror surface is substantially flat.

5. The display case of claim 1 wherein said inner wall and front panel are substantially flat and parallel.

6. The display case of claim 1 wherein said front panel opening is contiguous with said outer wall.

7. The case of claim 6 wherein said inner wall and said front panel extend substantially along vertical planes.

8. The display case of claim 1 including a lamp secured adjacent said chamber for illuminating articles displayed therein.

9. In combination, the case of claim 1, and a plurality of coins within said article holding chamber whereby the coins are reflected by said mirror surface and observed through said transparent outer wall giving the illusion of approximately twice as many coins.

10. A combination of claim 9 wherein said display case is approximately half filled with coins. 

1. An inner wall having a reflecting mirror surface for reflecting articles in said case, a front panel disposed forwardly of said inner wall having an opening therein, a substantially smooth surfaced and transparent convex outer wall contacting said front panel around said opening and extending outwardly therefrom, a bottom article support member elevated at a position between a frame member bottom and up to and including said front panel opening, a frame member having a top, bottom, back and sides in which said front panel, bottom article support member and inner wall are received, said outer wall, inner wall, and bottom article support member forming a chamber for holding articles therein.
 2. The case of claim 1 wherein said outer wall is hemispherical.
 3. The case of claim 1 wherein the outer wall is semi-ellipsoidal.
 4. The case of claim 1 wherein said mirror surface is substantially flat.
 5. The display case of claim 1 wherein said inner wall and front panel are substantially flat and parallel.
 6. The display case of claim 1 wherein said front panel opening is contiguous with said outer wall.
 7. The case of claim 6 wherein said inner wall and said front panel extend substantially along vertical planes.
 8. The display case of claim 1 including a lamp secured adjacent said chamber for illuminating articles displayed therein.
 9. In combination, the case of claim 1, and a plurality of coins within said article holding chamber whereby the coins are reflected by said mirror surface and observed through said transparent outer wall giving the illusion of approximately twice as many coins.
 10. A combination of claim 9 wherein said display case is approximately half filled with coins. 